Metal Slug 4 on Xbox, transitional entry less inspired than the third. New characters and mechanics but lacks the visual genius of the best episodes. Still fun and accessible. For completionist franchise fans seeking all entries.
Your verdict
Category
Action4 players12+
Co-op
Description
Soldiers Marco and Fio, joined by Nadia and Trevor, battle a new criminal syndicate using a computer virus to seize the world. Published by SNK Playmore, released in 2004 in the United States and Europe, and in 2005 in Japan. Fourth entry in the run and gun franchise, featuring 6 classic missions, local 2-player cooperation, new Slugs and weapons, and the Series scoring system.
Metal Slug 4 review
4/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Striking"
3/5
Music
★★★★★
"Memorable"
1/5
Story
★★★★★
"Anecdotal"
Gameplay
"Excellent"
Fun
"From the very first seconds"
The explosive formula returns with new heroes, new weapons and fresh settings, faithful to the run-and-gun spirit that made its name. Blasting away relentlessly, hopping from one vehicle to another and laughing at the visual gags delivers an immediate pleasure. As snappy and tasty as ever with two players, a generous arcade blow-off that will delight genre fans.
Addictiveness
"Engaging"
Difficulty
"Difficult"
Lifespan
"Very short"
A pure SNK arcade run-and-gun, it chains frantic stages packed with enemies, vehicles and oversized bosses, cleared in one go. Its brevity is inherent to the genre: you die, you restart, you memorise. The short length extends into scoring, two-player play and the hunt for a flawless run, taken up again to tame it all to the pixel.
More restrained than its elders, this chapter returns to run-and-gun basics with gleaming war machines erected at each path's end: over-gunned tanks, armored aircraft and improbable contraptions. Dismantling these guardians while dodging their volleys demands the series' usual precision. Still elevated by chiseled animation, it offers solid duels if not revolutionary ones.
Is Metal Slug 4 still worth playing in 2026?
A transitional entry in SNK's series, Metal Slug 4 reuses the proven run and gun recipe with new characters and a medal system, without overhauling the formula. The snappy action, the still polished pixel art and the two player co-op keep their effectiveness, even if the recycling of elements from earlier entries shows. Less inspired than the third entry, it stays a solid vent. A good run and gun for genre fans and Metal Slug followers after the full arcade experience.
